Texas Senate Bill SB581

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the exemption of certain commercial weighing or measuring devices from registration and inspection requirements.

Impact

If enacted, SB581 will significantly impact businesses that utilize commercial weighing devices, such as restaurants, food trucks, and markets selling ready-to-eat meals. By removing the registration and inspection requirements for specific devices, proponents argue that this bill will reduce bureaucratic burdens on small businesses, enhance operational efficiency, and ultimately decrease costs associated with compliance. It situates Texas in a more business-friendly regulatory environment, particularly beneficial for food service providers.

Summary

SB581 proposes an exemption for certain commercial weighing or measuring devices from the existing registration and inspection requirements under the Texas Agriculture Code. Specifically, the bill targets devices that are exclusively used to weigh food sold for immediate consumption. By amending Section 13.1002 of the Agriculture Code, the legislation aims to streamline regulations affecting food vendors and similar businesses that rely on these devices for daily transactions.

Contention

However, the bill does raise potential concerns regarding consumer protection and accurate representation of goods sold. Critics may argue that exempting weighing devices from regular inspections could lead to inconsistencies in measurement, potentially harming consumers who rely on accurate weight representations for pricing. The debate surrounding this bill may focus on balancing the need for regulatory relief with the necessity of maintaining standards that protect consumers' interests in commercial transactions.